Paris, April 19, 2019 (Bloomberg) -- TotalSA plans to launch a digital factory in the next few weeks to develop artificial intelligence technology to save hundreds of millions of dollars on exploration and production projects, an executive at the French energy giant said in Paris.

 

Using ai to sift through geological data will help identify new exploration prospects and shorten the time it takes to obtain permits, drill and discover, total's exploration and development director, arnaud bruyak, told a conference organized by the IFPEnergyNouvelles institute in Paris on Friday. It will also help optimize the use of equipment and reduce maintenance costs, he said.

 

Speaking at the same event, total chief executive Patrick bojan said the digital plant would employ 200 to 300 engineers and build on successful pilot projects in the north sea. It is also a way to attract "young talent" to the industry.

 

A year ago, total and AlphabetInc. 's Google signed an agreement to jointly develop artificial intelligence solutions for underground data analysis. Mr. Bruyak said the partnership was "very successful."

 

While oil prices have partly recovered from the slump that began in 2015, big oil companies are reining in costs amid concerns that overproduction, geopolitical tensions or a slowing economy could dent demand.

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